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100th anniversary of the death of Andrej Kmeť

200 Sk commemorative silver coin

Banknotes and coins, 100th anniversary of the death of Andrej Kmeť
Banknotes and coins, 100th anniversary of the death of Andrej Kmeť

Andrej Kmeť (19. 11. 1841 – 16. 2. 1908) – priest, patriot and amateur scientist – botanist, archaeologist, ethnographer and museum scientist, was one of the last polyhistorians in Slovak national history. He was one of the leading representatives and organizers of scientific and cultural life, and is regarded as the founder of museum collecting in Slovakia.

He initiated the establishment of the Slovak Museum Society at Turčiansky Sv. Martin in 1893 and served as its first chairman until the end of his life. He rendered outstanding services in the process of building the Slovak National Museum at Turčiansky Sv. Martin in 1906 – 1907, and donated to the museum his extensive collections. The most valuable include a herbarium with more than 77,000 specimens, and bone remnants of a mammoth. He was the author of a large number of popular and specialist articles and books. He was interested in ethnography, folklore and Slovak folk art, which he also promoted abroad. He achieved his greatest successes in botany, and discovered various plants, which bear his name. He was a member of several domestic and international scientific societies.

  • Description of the coin

    Obverse:
    On the obverse of the coin, a stylized M-shaped memorial representing the Museum and the Slovak Museum Association is depicted. It encompasses the attributes of Museum collecting activities. Gothic architectural elements represent the extraordinary value of the cultural heritage looking to the distant past; a clock is the symbol of passing time; a chalet and old cemetery cross represent village architecture. The name of the state, SLOVAK REPUBLIC, is near the upper edge of the coin and below is the state’s coat of arms. The nominal value of 200 Sk is in the bottom part of the coin field. The year of issue, 2008, is placed at the right bottom edge of the coin and below is the initial of the surname of the designer Štefan Novotný, N, and the mintmark of the Kremnica Mint.

    Reverse:
    On the reverse, in the middle of the coin field is a portrait of Andrej Kmeť, supplemented with the fragments of objects from his collecting activity in the right part. At the left edge is his name and surname, ANDREJ KMEŤ, and at the left edge are the years of his birth and death 1841 – 1908.

  • Coin details
    Designer:Štefan Novotný
    Composition:Ag 900, Cu 100
    Weight:18 g
    Diameter:34 mm
    Edge:inscription: “POZNÁVAJME KRAJE SVOJE A POZNÁME SAMÝCH SEBA”
    Producer:Kremnica Mint
    Engraver:Dalibor Schmidt
    Issuing volume:4,000 coins in brilliant uncirculated quality
    3,400 coins in proof quality
    Issuing date:12 February 2008

Prospectus